Chapter 15

When Isaiah yelled gun, Raelyn fired at the man standing with his back to her. She was close enough that she took a chance and aimed for his thigh, which made him scream in pain and fall to the floor.

She rushed forward just as Beau Critten brought his gun around toward her, his face a mask of pain and fury. She instinctively ducked.

"No!" Isaiah lunged forward, his right hand crashing down on Beau's arm.

Beau screamed again and dropped the gun. "You stabbed me!"

He had? She couldn't see much as whatever Isaiah had used was buried deep in the muscle of Beau's bicep.

"Beau Critten, you're under arrest for murder. You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." She continued reciting the Miranda warning as she slapped handcuffs around the man's wrists. Then she used her phone to let Grayson know she had the situation under control.

"You shot me!" Beau spewed curses at her. "I'll have your badge for this! Do you know who I am? I'm the mayor's son! You'll never work as a cop again!"

She ignored Beau's theatrics, turning her attention to Isaiah and Pinky. She hadn't known Pinky was in the room, but that explained why Isaiah had turned away after warning her about the gun.

"Are you okay? Anyone hurt?" she asked.

"Raelyn." Isaiah pulled her into his arms for a tight hug. "I knew you'd come. I knew if I kept him talking long enough, you would come."

She wanted to point out that he shouldn't have left in the first place but snaked her arms around his waist and hugged him back, burying her face against his chest. She'd been afraid Beau had gotten a shot off, and at such a close distance, she knew he wouldn't have missed.

"I almost lost you," she whispered.

"I know. I'm sorry." He kissed her temple. "I love you."

Love? She lifted her head in shock, but of course, that's when Grayson, Steele, Reed, and Jina barged into the room. With a sigh, she pulled out of Isaiah's embrace. But she couldn't go far, the small kitchenette wasn't big enough for all of them.

"He needs a bus." Raelyn gestured to her cuffed perp. "I audio recorded the conversation where he alluded to killing Donte Wicks and admitted he was in charge of the drug dealing. And I'm sure there will be other charges once we fully investigate him."

"He's the Chief. The man coordinating the drug dealing here for the past ten to twelve years," Isaiah said. "He thought I knew his identity, so he threatened to kill me and Pinky."

She turned to see Pinky cowering in the corner of the room. He looked scared to death, not at all like the kid with the false bravado when he'd held Isaiah at gunpoint that first day.

"Pinky. Are you hurt?" She cautiously approached, as if he were a cornered wild animal.

The boy shook his head. Then his gaze darted to Isaiah. "He saved me."

She smiled and nodded. "I know. Isaiah is a brave man. He believed in you all along, Pinky. He never once thought you shot that cop."

"I didn't," Pinky insisted. "It was Reggie."

She had heard and recorded most of what had been said. She couldn't wait to hand it all over to the DA's office. "I believe you. It's okay. I'm not going to arrest you."

Pinky gave a jerky nod, edging slightly closer to Isaiah. She decided it was better not to push. The poor kid had just been threatened at gunpoint by a man who had ruthlessly ran the streets.

But no more. She didn't care who his father was. Raelyn intended to make it her mission to make sure Beau Critten spent the rest of his life behind bars.

"What's in this guy's arm?" Grayson asked, kneeling beside the injured Beau.

"Paring knife," Isaiah answered. "I stabbed him to keep him from shooting Raelyn."

"Nice job," Grayson said with frank approval.

"Good one," Reed agreed.

"I'll sue you all," Beau screamed with frustration.

"You have the right to remain silent, and I suggest you use it," Steele said mildly. "We've been recording this from the moment Raelyn came into the church."

She had to smile when Beau's jaw dropped in shocked surprise and the color leeched from his face. She could tell he was trying to remember everything he'd said, but then he let out a piteous moan and closed his eyes.

The third district police officers arrived on the scene along with the EMTs. She ushered Isaiah and Pinky into the main area of the church to give the EMTs room to work over Beau Critten.

Reed, Steele, Jina, and Grayson joined them. "This is nice," Steele said with a smile. "Small, but quaint."

"Yeah, but I smell pizza," Jina complained.

That made the entire group burst into laughter, except for Pinky who looked confused.

The kid turned to Isaiah. "You said you only had soup and sandwiches."

"They're talking about this place, the church." Isaiah waved a hand toward the altar. "This building used to be a pizzeria."

"I love pizza," Pinky said with a sigh.

"We'll get you some as soon as we can," Isaiah promised. He glanced at Raelyn who shrugged.

"Sure, why not?" She could go for some pizza herself. "Although I need to talk to your parents, Pinky. They need to know what happened here. And that you're not a suspect anymore."

"There's just my dad." Pinky hunched his shoulders. "Mom ran away six months ago."

Really?Raelyn glanced at Isaiah who appeared surprised by the news too. "Well, I still need to speak to your dad," she said.

Pinky grimaced and looked away, clearly not happy. She had a bad feeling that a cop showing up on Pinky's father's doorstep would only cause trouble for the boy. The thought made her angry, as if hearing his son had almost been shot would cause Pinky's father to act out.

The image of Pinky's father slamming a hammer on his son's hand would not leave her alone.

Oh yeah, she wanted to face off with him all right. Yet it might be smart to take someone from the department of health and human services with her.

And Isaiah too.

"I'll come with you," Isaiah said, reading her mind. Or maybe he was trying to console the skinny teenager. "I'll make sure you don't get in trouble over this."

"Whatever," Pinky muttered. He clearly had no faith in the system.

"You again," a snide voice said from the hallway. She turned to see Officer Stern standing there. "Let me guess. You weren't satisfied with shooting Morrison, so you also shot the mayor's son."

"Yep." She crossed over to hand him her weapon for the second time in as many days. "He threatened to kill Pastor Washington and this teenager. Oh, and don't worry, this time I have an audio recording of the entire interaction."

"Oh yeah?" Stern's voice held doubt. She could feel Grayson, Reed, Jina, and Steele coming up to stand around her for support.

"Yes. You'll be glad to know that Pinky has identified Reggie Vallera as the person who killed your friend." Her tone softened. "I'm really sorry for your loss, Stern. None of us want to lose a brother or sister in blue."

"Reggie Vallera?" Stern looked dazed at the news. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Reggie's younger brother, a kid who goes by the street name of Tiger, was there too. I'm sure we can convince him to cooperate." Once they found him. But that was up to the third district officers now.

They had the Chief in custody. The news of Beau's arrest would spread throughout the community like wildfire. Sure, one of Beau's underlings would try to step up to take over, but she hoped that Beau was cowardly enough to spill his guts for the chance of a lighter sentence once he realized they had him cold and that he was out of options.

The mayor's son didn't strike her as the type to do well in prison.

"Thanks." Stern offered a chagrined smile. "I'm sorry I've been a jerk. I owe you for helping to bring the Chief down."

"No, that's not true. We're all in this together." She remembered how upset the tactical team had been when they'd lost Kyle last Christmas. Time for her to cut Stern some slack.

More officers arrived, and the scene was chaotic for the next hour or so as statements were given and evidence was collected. The phone recording she'd done had been sent to both Rhy and Captain Sanchez. As soon as they were able to leave the area, she took Isaiah and Leon Smith, a.k.a. Pinky, to the closest pizza place.

Pinky ate as if he were starving, and she told him twice to slow down. "You can take the leftovers home," she told him. "Cold pizza isn't too bad."

Leon stared down at his plate for a long moment. "I would rather you stay away from my dad. He won't like you bringing me home."

She exchanged a concerned look with Isaiah. "Leon, has your dad hurt you again?"

The boy lifted a shoulder. "I dunno."

That was a yes in her book. Her house was burned to a shell, but they could clean up Isaiah's place and stay there for a while. She glanced at Isaiah, who obviously knew what she was thinking and nodded.

"We'll head to my place for a bit." Isaiah rested his hand on Leon's shoulder. "You'll stay with me until we can talk to your father."

"Really?" Leon looked up at him with suspicion. "How come?"

"Because I want you to be safe," Isaiah said. "Raelyn does too. But we'll need to do some cleaning at my place, and I expect you to help."

The boy, who suddenly looked much younger than his fifteen years, nodded, his gaze bright. "Okay. I can help clean. Thank you."

Her heart squeezed for him, and she knew without being told that Isaiah would find a way to be registered as a foster home for the boy. She admired Isaiah more than she could say and wondered again what he'd meant when he said he loved her.

Like as a friend? Friends could love each other, right? She pretty much loved her teammates, but that didn't mean she wanted to date any of the single guys.

Eww. Even the thought of that made her wince. They were more like brothers to her. Jina and Cassidy were the sisters she'd never had. Jina would help her out in a heartbeat, but the team sharpshooter didn't allow anyone to get too close.

She'd always assumed Jina had a similar background to hers. When you were a kid betrayed by adults, it wasn't easy to let your guard down.

Yet here was Leon, doing that despite what he'd been through.

With the leftover pizza boxed up, they left the restaurant and headed to Isaiah's house. To her surprise, there was a man standing on the front porch, swaying a bit as he swigged from a bottle.

"My dad," Leon whispered. "We shouldn't go there."

"What's his name?" she asked in a low tone.

"Eddie. But he's mean. You don't want to go there," Leon said, hanging back.

"Stay with Isaiah, okay?" She had her badge but not her gun. She hoped she wouldn't need it.

"Rae," Isaiah protested, but she ignored him.

"Mr. Smith? Eddie Smith?" She didn't smile as she mounted the stairs to meet him on the porch. "I'm police officer Raelyn Lewis."

"You that piggy looking to jam up my boy?" Smith sneered. He took another swig from the bottle of whiskey, although she could tell he was already intoxicated. His eyes were red, and he couldn't seem to stand straight. His face was drawn into a mask of anger. He reeked as if he'd been on a three-day bender, and maybe he had.

"Leon isn't in any trouble." She tried to hold his gaze. "But you are. Unfortunately, Eddie, you are trespassing on private property. I suggest you leave."

"It's a free country," he spat, clearly not understanding what he was saying.

"That doesn't give you the right to trespass. This house belongs to Mayor Critten who rents it to Pastor Washington. Now, I'm asking you again. Please leave."

"I tol' Leon to stay away from the preacher." Mr. Smith slurred his words, but the glitter of anger in his eyes indicated he was still a threat, drunk or not. "Don't want nuthin' to do with that church."

"Eddie, when is the last time you've seen your son?" she asked. "Before today. When did you last make him breakfast, lunch, or dinner?"

"I dunno. Who cares?"

"I do." She stepped closer, trying not to gag at the stench. "I plan to call child protective services, Eddie, because I don't believe Leon is safe in your care. I think you've been neglecting him and your duty as a parent."

"Pig!" he screamed and lashed out with the bottle, aiming for her head. She ducked, then spun and kicked out with her foot, jamming the heel of her foot into his groin. He crumpled like a rag doll, screaming in pain.

"Eddie Smith, you're under arrest for assaulting a police officer." She had used her cuffs on Beau but still had a couple of plastic zip ties. "You have the right to remain silent, so I suggest you do that." She would have recited the rest of his rights, but Eddie was moaning and holding his crotch, and she doubted he was in any condition to hear them.

She bound his wrists, then stepped back to call a squad. She knew there were likely several police officers still at the New Hope Church.

Stern arrived less than two minutes later. "Are you some kind of magnet for trouble, or what?"

"Hey, I didn't plan this, he was here when we got here. He tried to assault me, and he was trespassing on private property." She scowled. "I don't think he's fit to be a parent, and I'd like him booked for assault, battery, and drunk and disorderly too."

"Yeah, yeah. I might owe you, Lewis, but he better not puke in my car," Stern said with a sigh. "Come on, Eddie. Time for another stint in the jail."

"Another stint?" she echoed.

"Oh, he's been arrested several times," Stern informed her. "But assaulting a police officer might be enough to keep him locked up for a while this time."

She hoped it did, but she knew the system was overcrowded with criminals, and something like this wouldn't send Eddie to jail for long.

Too bad. Because he deserved that and more.

Isaiah and Leon joined her on the porch a few minutes later. Leon was holding the pizza box and looking at her with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "You arrested my dad."

"Yep. Looks like you'll be staying here for a while until we get that all figured out." She smiled. "Take the pizza into the house and put it in the fridge but avoid the blood stains on the floor. We still have cleaning to do."

Leon nodded and disappeared inside.

"You goaded Leon's dad into taking a swing at you," Isaiah said in a low voice. "My heart just about stopped when he swung that bottle toward your head."

"Who me?" She gave him her best I'm innocent look. "I asked him about his son, that's all. He's the one who took offense to the truth."

"Ah, Rae. That's what I love about you." Isaiah swept her into his arms and hugged her tight.

There he went with the L word again. She was about to ask him to clarify what he meant but he captured her mouth in a deep kiss.

Then she decided words weren't necessary.

Isaiah didn't ever wantto stop kissing Raelyn. The immediate danger was over, and he had waited a long time to hold her like this. But they couldn't linger, with Leon inside waiting for them. He kissed her as long as he dared, before lifting his head to gaze down at her. With the arrest of the Chief and hopefully others involved in the scheme, he knew they were blessed to have come out of this situation alive and unharmed.

And most of that was due to her.

"I love you, Raelyn." He'd said it several times now, but she acted as if she hadn't heard him. Probably because he was rushing things just a bit.

Okay, a lot. But he knew his heart, and he wanted her to know that he was serious about this. About making a relationship between them work.

"I—don't understand." His tough, female cop was adorable when she blushed. "Why?"

"I love you because you're strong, sweet, and kind. You are beautiful inside and out." He tucked a strand of her honey-colored hair behind her ear. "You don't hesitate to put your life on the line for others."

"You do those things too," she said in protest. "You're a much better person than I am, Isaiah. I'm only just learning about God and faith. You're here to support the entire community. Taking Leon in without hesitation is proof of that."

"You would have asked me and Leon to come to your place if it hadn't burned down," he said with a smile. "Don't you see? We're alike in so many ways."

"And we're very different too." She frowned.

"I know. And those differences will keep us on our toes." Maybe she couldn't bring herself to put a name to her feelings. And if so, that was okay. He knew she cared for him. The way she'd responded to his kiss gave him hope. No one could fake the chemistry sizzling between them. "Come on. We have work to do."

"Wait." She didn't step out of his arms. "I—what exactly are you saying? That you want to see me again when this is over?"

"Yes, I want that very much. I love you. I care about you, and I want you to be in my life." He wasn't sure how else to say it. "We can take things as slow as you need. I'll understand if you're not ready or feel the same way. I only ask that you give me, give us a chance. I know a relationship with me won't always be easy, but you need to know that even if we argue or disagree, I'll never stop loving you."

"Because God brought us together." She smiled, and his heart bloomed with hope as she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him again. "I love you, too, Isaiah. And I have never, ever said those words to anyone else."

"Sweet, Raelyn," he whispered. "I've never been in love like this before either."

She looked uncertain, then shrugged. "I guess we can learn together, then. Because I'm not really sure how this whole love thing works."

He chuckled, lowered his head to kiss her again, but was interrupted by Leon's face at the door.

"Hey, what are you doing out there? I thought we were gonna clean up the place, together."

"We are." He smiled ruefully, gave her another quick kiss, then stepped back. "Okay, Leon. We're coming in to help."

Cleaning the place didn't take as long as he'd expected with the three of them working together. Leon was eager to assist, maybe because of the pizza but more likely because Raelyn had arrested his dad.

Isaiah would apply to become a foster parent so that he could keep Leon with him indefinitely. It would take time for the state to open a case file on Eddie Smith.

He prayed the state would take away Eddie's parental rights without delay. That man wasn't fit to have a pet toad, much less a child.

"Come with me, Leon," Isaiah said when they'd finished. "The bedrooms are upstairs."

Leon's gaze was full of apprehension. He wasn't sure why the boy looked uncomfortable as he led the way up to the second level. He opened the first door on the right, then stepped back. He waved a hand, indicating the boy should go inside. "This will be your room, Leon."

"Really?" Leon's eyes widened in surprise as he gazed around the room. It was nothing fancy—a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand with a lamp. "I get my own bed?"

His blood ran cold. "You don't have your own bed at home?" he asked carefully.

"I sleep on a mattress on the floor in the living room." Leon stepped into the room and ran his hand over the polyester bedspread. "It's nice. And soft."

"Oh, Leon." Raelyn looped her arm around the boy's shoulders and hugged him. "You deserve a room of your own."

"Yes, you do." His voice sounded low and rough with emotion. Rae was her usual amazing self, embracing the boy and soothing his fears.

"Thank you." Leon leaned against Raelyn for a moment, then turned to look at him. "I'm glad to be here."

"We're happy to have you," he assured the boy.

"So—like, are you guys living together?" Leon asked.

Raelyn's cheeks went pink, and he quickly shook his head. "Not the way you're thinking. There was a fire in Raelyn's home, so she needs a place to stay. There are three bedrooms here. I'll show you." He moved out into the hallway and opened the next door on the left. "This is where Raelyn will sleep. And my room is on the end. This is the bathroom." He opened that door too. "We all have to share the bathroom, so keep it clean for Raelyn, got it?"

"Got it," Leon echoed. He still appeared awestruck by having his own room.

The poor kid didn't have anything but the clothes on his back, but he was smiling as they returned downstairs. He ran ahead, asking, "Can we watch TV?"

"Sure. Go ahead." He held back, reaching for Raelyn's hand.

She stood beside him. "I think we need to head to the store tomorrow morning," she murmured. "That poor kid needs clothes that fit him." She turned to look up at him. "And I know you're going to apply to be a foster parent for him, and then will want to adopt him, too, so we should get him a few additional things too."

"Yes, that's exactly what I have planned. Interesting how easily you read my mind." He snuck in another quick kiss. "See how much we think alike? Yet another reason why I love you."

She smiled and shook her head. "You're a goof. But I love you too." She tugged him toward the sofa. "Let's see what Leon has picked out for us to watch, shall we?"

"Why not?" He allowed her to draw him to the sofa. Leon sat on the floor, probably without even noticing the empty stuffed chair next to the couch.

The movie was one he'd never seen, but he couldn't have cared less what Leon wanted to watch. He could gladly sit here and happily gaze at Raelyn for the rest of the evening.

That she understood his need to be there for Leon spoke volumes. Most women would run screaming in the opposite direction, but not Raelyn. She'd stepped up to take on Eddie Smith, tricking him into taking a swing at her.

She knew the importance of providing a stable home life for Leon. And she would do her part in making that happen.

He needed to convince her that Leon was just the beginning. Together, they could do so much good for the neighborhood.

He swallowed a grin. Despite her misgivings, Raelyn would make a great pastor's wife.